27 MAY 1893, Page 24

Fragments of Two Centuries. By Alfred Kingston. (Warren Brothers, Royston.)—The

contents of Mr. Kingston's little book are well described by the title. He has collected a miscellaneous and varied series of odd events, social, sporting. and political, which, while adhering to a certain chronological order, are mingled together with bewildering effect. The extracts from parochial accounts are among the most interesting and suggestive items brought up for study in descriptions of eighteenth-century life,. and Mr. Kingston makes use of them effectively at times to show how available the parish chest was for all sorts of complaints,. necessities, and extravagances. The " fragments " mostly relate to Royston and its neighbourhood, celebrated, as many stilt remember, for its prize-fights.